Family Affairs

I must thank my cousin, Jacob Matheckal (as spelt by him), for compiling the history of Matheikals.   

No connection with Matheikals

Of course, this may not be of any interest to anyone who is not directly related to the family.  I found it an eminent enterprise and wish to thank Babychettan (Jacob Matheckal) for the amount of labour that he has put in for bringing out this history.  The fact is that I know very few of the Matheikals mentioned in the history.  I look forward to getting to know a few of them at least in the near future, though I’m not sure how far I’ll be successful in that venture.  My hesitation owes much to my reticence and lack of interest in spending time with people.  I prefer books to people. 

During a light-hearted telephonic conversation with the author of this history some time ago, he asked me, “Shall I present you as an icon for all the mad people in the world?”  I laughed and said, “Why not?”  But what he has actually written about me is very flattering:

Tomichan and his spouse Margret are into academics and teaching. Tomichan emulated his father and developed a philosophical approach to life and events and is an avid promoter of ecological environment. He is a vocal and fearless crusader against injustice in the society and the political spectrum through his blog - matheikal.blogspot.in . Tomichan has proved that the pen is mightier than the sword. [Page 111]

I take this opportunity to pat myself on the back.  I must add that my father’s contribution to my interest in books is colossal.  He had a library of nearly 5000 books which he donated a few years before his death to the library of a parish church.  I had read almost all the novels and story books before I left home at the age of 15 to pursue my studies.  Reading has remained my best habit up to now.   I hope to cultivate a greater interest in ‘family affairs’ now that I know there are more Matheikals out there than I had thought of.   Thanks, Babychettan.